It doesn't get more cravenly opportunistic than this:
WASHINGTON - Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter announced Tuesday that he is switching parties, a move would give Democrats a filibuster-proof 60 seats if Al Franken is seated in the Minnesota race.
And this:
My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans. Unlike Senator Jeffords’ switch which changed party control, I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (Card Check) will not change.
Shorter Arlen Specter: I'm gonna get my ass whupped in 2010 if I run as a Republican. Therefore, I shall run on the Democratic ticket, without actually having to VOTE with my new party affiliation.
Cat saw what side of the bread the butter is on.
Ole!!
Posted by: wa ching | April 28, 2009 at 12:39 PM
somebody really doesn't want to lose.
Posted by: pansypoo | April 28, 2009 at 01:04 PM
He just wanted to make a Specter-cle of himself.
Elspeth
Posted by: Elspeth R | April 28, 2009 at 01:06 PM
We still have Lieberman to deal with, so there wouldn't have been a guaranteed 60th vote for cloture anyway. Still, I guess this is more dignified than getting whupped in a primary and then having to declare your "independence."
Posted by: dan mcenroe | April 28, 2009 at 01:43 PM
Phil made him do it!
Posted by: queek | April 28, 2009 at 04:10 PM
It won't change the number of votes we'll have on any particular issue, given the dozen or so conservative DINOs we need to replace.
However, it does help with allotted numbers of seats on the various committees, and THAT is where the power lies. If we can't get a bill out of committee, it simply doesn't get to the voting point. Committees are where the bills are written and where they are reconciled.
Posted by: hauksdottir | April 28, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Specter the Republicrat, or is that the Demoblican.
Posted by: Wee Mousie | April 28, 2009 at 05:42 PM
I'm actually surprised how candid he has been about being a totally disloyal prick. Shorter Arlen: I want to make sure everyone knows this is just about saving my job. Don't expect me to stop pandering for the cameras for the drama of looking like I care about the issues".
Drama queen.
Posted by: amused | April 28, 2009 at 06:54 PM
As our various bloods go mingling there on the ceiling, something else is happening.
Put the rent on the 6ers.
Good price.
Posted by: wa ching | April 28, 2009 at 08:01 PM
Wow. Even Lieberman can't claim to have betrayed both parties on the same day.
Posted by: EvilDrPuma | April 28, 2009 at 09:30 PM
Specter is always one to make a specter out of himself. I remember protesting at a Republican fund-raiser during the '94 Republican Welfare Reform debacle. My "protest" was about six people strong.
That didn't stop Specter from showing up to shake our hands and have his aids lay out a giant board placard before us on the pavement stating his pro-choice stand.
Yeah Arlan, we were women protesting about using poor women as a scapegoats. I guess you could tie Choice into that--somehow, but geez, talk about a mindless, breathless panderer. He has no equal.
Well yes he does, but still.
Posted by: kate | April 28, 2009 at 10:46 PM
He's a fuckin' Gook.
Posted by: wa ching | April 28, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Reckon he'll sit next to Lieberman when it comes time for votes? All this hoo-hah about him making the Dem magic number quota means nothing until we see how he votes.
Posted by: terri | April 29, 2009 at 08:43 AM